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DATE: December 18, 2014
REVISED:
NAME: Defining New Subfield in Field 382 for Coding Number of Ensembles in the MARC 21 Bibliographic and Authority Formats
SOURCE: Music Library Association
SUMMARY: This paper proposes that subfield $e (Number of ensembles) be added to field 382 (Medium of Performance) in order to allow for the coding of number of ensembles.
KEYWORDS: Field 382 (AD, BD); Medium of performance (AD, BD); Number of ensembles (AD, BD)
RELATED:
STATUS/COMMENTS:
12/18/14 – Made available to the MARC community for discussion.
02/01/15 – Results of MARC Advisory Committee discussion: Approved as submitted.
03/23/15 - Results of MARC Steering Group review - Agreed with the MAC decision.
Currently, MARC Bibliographic and Authority field 382 (Medium of Performance) subfield $n is defined as "number of performers of the same medium" which seems to exclude its use for coding number of ensembles. Given that there are many musical works that specify multiple ensembles, it is important that a subfield code be defined for the purpose of recording number of ensembles.
Current definition of Field 382 in the Bibliographic and Authority Formats:
The current definition of subfield $n is the "Number of performers of the medium named in the preceding subfield." This definition presents logical and practical difficulties if one attempts to apply it to an ensemble in subfield $a.
In terms of human-readable bibliographic description, it makes sense to consider an ensemble, as a single logical unit, a "performer." When encoded in field 382, however, this usage is not parallel to other uses of subfield $n, which otherwise indicates the number of discrete individuals required for performance. Furthermore, while it is sometimes possible to determine the number of individual performers in a given ensemble, the number is often indeterminate and potentially variable; in fact, that is the most likely scenario now that standard combinations of instruments (e.g., string quartet) are broken into their individual components. The Provisional Best Practices for Using LCMPT therefore advise against using subfield $n in connection with ensembles, in contradiction of current DCM Z1 guidelines.
Another issue arises with regard to subfield $s, which records the total number of performers required. This number should presumably be the sum of the numbers in the subfields $n attached to subfield $a and subfield $b. However, the potential utility of this field is compromised if one incorporates ensembles into this count. From a user's perspective there is an enormous practical difference between a work for violin and piano and one for violin and full orchestra, yet both could be described as requiring two "performers." This complication is implicitly acknowledged by the current DCM Z1 instruction not to apply subfield $s when medium of performance includes indefinitely populated ensembles.
In most cases, these issues can be partly mitigated by omitting subfield $n in reference to ensembles, although this is contrary to the recommendations in DCM Z1. There are, however, works requiring two or more comparable ensembles; in such cases, the current structure of subfields means a cataloger must choose between omitting useful information or including potentially misleading information. In all cases where ensembles are recorded in field 382, DCM Z1 instructs catalogers to omit subfield $s. Should this proposal to establish a subfield $e for recording number of ensembles be accepted, that instruction will be logically extended and noted in the Provisional Best Practices for Using LCMPT, indicating that $e should be preferred over $s in those specific situations.
Example 1:
Elliott Carter's Double concerto for harpsichord and piano with two chamber orchestras
Constructed according to current DCM Z1 guidelines:
382 01 $b harpsichord $n 1 $b piano $n 1 $a chamber orchestra $n 2 $2 lcmptConstructed according to the Provisional Best Practices for Using LCMPT:
382 01 $b harpsichord $n 1 $b piano $n 1 $a chamber orchestra $2 lcmptConstructed according to proposed changes:
382 01 $b harpsichord $n 1 $b piano $n 1 $a chamber orchestra $e 2 $2 lcmpt
Example 2:
Schütz's Saul, was verfolgst du mich, SWV 415 for two violins, individual SSATBB voices, two mixed choirs, and continuo
Constructed according to current DCM Z1 guidelines:
382 01 $a violin $n 2 $a soprano voice $n 2 $a alto voice $n 1 $a tenor voice $n 1 $a bass voice $n 2 $a continuo $n 1 $a mixed chorus $n 2 $2 lcmptConstructed according to the Provisional Best Practices for Using LCMPT:
382 01 $a violin $n 2 $a soprano voice $n 2 $a alto voice $n 1 $a tenor voice $n 1 $a bass voice $n 2 $a continuo $n 1 $a mixed chorus $2 lcmptConstructed according to proposed changes:
382 01 $a violin $n 2 $a soprano voice $n 2 $a alto voice $n 1 $a tenor voice $n 1 $a bass voice $n 2 $a mixed chorus $e 2 $a continuo $n 1 $2 lcmpt
There is detail in the MARC field of medium of performance that has not been brought into BF. An analysis of music similar to that done recently for AV materials is needed to ensure that details that are important for music access can be identified, and for that the MARC element experience and use will be helpful.
In Field 382 of the MARC 21 Bibliographic and Authority Formats, define:
$e - Number of ensembles (R)
Number of ensembles named in the preceding subfield. Use after $a (Medium of performance) or $p (Alternative medium of performance).
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